DWP reveals Winter Fuel Payments to pensioners reached record high last year

The number of pensioners receiving Winter Fuel Payments increased to 11.6 million last year, according to recent figures.

The data, released by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), shows that the number of recipients last winter was 214,000 more than the 11.4 million in 2022-23. The number of people receiving the benefit increased from 11.1 million in 2020-21.

Introduced in 1997, the annual tax-free payment ranges between £100 and £300 and is designed to assist eligible pensioners with their winter heating costs. However, this year, the government plans to means-test the benefits meaning millions of pensioners will miss out.

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On Monday, pensioners protested outside Labour's annual conference against the plan. A showdown on the issue is expected on Wednesday, as Unite and the Communication Workers Union have proposed motions to debate the policy and advocate for its reversal.

A recent YouGov poll revealed that almost a quarter (23 per cent) of those surveyed had high expectations for Labour but were let down, with 28 per cent of that group attributing changes to winter fuel payments as their main reason for disappointment. The survey was conducted among 2,389 adults between September 19 and 20.

Liberal Democrat work and pensions spokesman Steve Darling slammed the latest DWP figures, saying: "Hundreds of thousands more pensioners are now set to lose out on these desperately needed payments that protect so many from having to choose between heating and eating.

"Cutting these payments for pensioners, which include millions who are just scraping by and are now worried about how they will get through the winter, is totally wrong.

"It is not too late for this new Government to change course and Liberal Democrat MPs will push them every step of the way to reverse these cuts and protect vulnerable pensioners this winter."

Newly revealed DWP statistics indicate that the constituency of Clacton in Essex holds the highest number of winter fuel payment beneficiaries for the 2023/24 period, totalling 30,109 individuals.

Clacton has been highlighted as a pivotal seat snatched by Reform in the recent UK general election, with party leader Nigel Farage successfully ousting the Conservative candidate and claiming victory.

The constituency trailing just behind with the second-largest group of winter fuel payment recipients is Christchurch in Dorset, a Conservative stronghold, where 28,941 residents will receive the benefit in 2023/24.

Following close are Dorset West with 28,934 residents, under Liberal Democrat representation; Louth & Horncastle in Lincolnshire, securing 28,385 people, held by the Conservatives; Norfolk North with 28,251 residents, claimed by the Lib Dems; and Honiton & Sidmouth in Devon, also Lib Dem territory, with 27,774 individuals set to receive the payment.

The constituencies with the fewest winter fuel payment recipients are all held by Labour, with Manchester Rusholme having the lowest number in Britain (6,241 people), followed by Na h-Eileanan an Iar in western Scotland (6,367), Poplar & Limehouse in London (6,658), Sheffield Central (7,180) and Bethnal Green & Stepney in London (7,506).